Dolores Aveiro Backs Portugal Ahead of Crucial World Cup Match Against Croatia
Support from Dolores Aveiro
Dolores Aveiro, the mother of Cristiano Ronaldo, has expressed her unwavering support for the Portuguese national team as they gear up for a pivotal FIFA World Cup Round of 32 match against Croatia. She shared a touching message on Instagram, accompanied by a photo with her son.
Before the must-win game at Toronto Stadium, Dolores wrote, "Forca Portugal" ("Come on, Portugal"), as Ronaldo prepares to lead his team in one of the tournament's most significant matches.
High-Stakes Clash Against Croatia
Dolores has been a steadfast supporter throughout Portugal's World Cup journey. She attended the previous match against Colombia in the United States, where the team managed a goalless draw. Now, Portugal faces a formidable challenge against Croatia, led by the experienced Luka Modric, with a spot in the pre-quarterfinals on the line.
Having drawn two out of their three group-stage matches, Ronaldo and his teammates are eager to deliver their best performance against one of Europe’s most reliable teams.
Emotional Tribute for Diogo Jota
This match holds special emotional weight for Portugal, coinciding with the first anniversary of the tragic passing of former Liverpool and Portugal forward Diogo Jota, who lost his life in a road accident in Spain last year. Players and fans are expected to honor the late striker before the game.
Ronaldo also reached out to fans via social media, sharing a post with a handshake emoji and the national flag, urging supporters to "make us feel at home" in Toronto.
Ronaldo's Record-Breaking Tournament
The seasoned forward has already made history during this tournament. In the group-stage match against Colombia, Ronaldo marked his 25th FIFA World Cup appearance, tying with German legend Lothar Matthaus for the second-most appearances in World Cup history. Only Argentina's Lionel Messi has played more matches, with 29.
Ronaldo further solidified his legacy in Portuguese football during a dominant victory over Uzbekistan, scoring twice and bringing his World Cup goal tally to 10, making him the all-time leading scorer for Portugal in World Cup history, surpassing the legendary Eusebio's record of nine. Pauleta ranks third with four goals.
This performance also made Ronaldo the first player to score in six different FIFA World Cups, breaking a 10-match goal drought in World Cup and UEFA European Championship play. With hopes high, Portugal looks to their captain for inspiration as they face Croatia, aiming for a place in the last 16.